Just Friends

{Alexus}

"Thanks for joining me on my morning run.  I've been trying to link up with you recently, but it seems like you're busy all the time. I figured it had to be because you're busy planning your birthday party."

"Oh, yeah, birthday planning has been keeping me really busy," I lied.  I had absolutely nothing to do with my birthday planning.  I left all that in my mom and Sharon's hands.  Those two women knew me better than I knew myself. I could trust them and knew they wouldn't let me down.

"Are you excited?" he asked, bumping me with his shoulder.

"I'm more anxious than excited," I admitted once we came to a small clearing.  I purposely led us here because the dining room had a perfect view of the clearing.  Just in case something happened, my parents and Alpha Harvey would be able to witness it.  I didn't want to think that Mark would do something to me, but Elektra was telling me to proceed with caution.  She was throwing yellow flags all over the place.  I realized I probably needed to be straight up with Mark and let him down easily, that I wasn't interested in anything other than a friendship.  I had a similar conversation with him before, but it seemed to go in one ear and out the other.  My mother always told me that just because a man heard what you said doesn't mean he was listening.

"You're excited to find out who your mate is?" he asked eagerly. He reached out and stroked my face. I responded by slapping his hand away.  "Jesus Christ, what was that for, Alexus?" he growled as he grabbed his wrist.

"I-I'm sorry.  It was a reflex.  I don't react well when people touch me without my permission.  What were you doing?"

"I was moving some of your hair from your face. Dammit, any harder and you would've broken my fucking wrist."

"I admit that I was a little rough, but you're being a weenie.  If I did break your wrist, then your wolf should be able to heal that in less than five minutes."

"It still hurts, but I know what will make the pain go away."

"What?"

"A kiss," he answered with a grin.

"Well, I guess you're going to be hurting for a while."

Mark laughed, but I wasn't joking.  I narrowed my eyes when Mark suddenly began to undress.

"Ummmm, what are you doing?"

"I'm taking my clothes off for our run? Why do you still have your clothes on?"

"I would prefer to run in my human form.  It's important to condition both our human form and our wolves."

"Are you serious?"

"Yep. I prefer to keep my clothes on."  I couldn't help but feel Mark had ulterior motives.  I imagined he only wanted to go on a run so that he could see me naked and get his rocks off.  Tuh, he can keep dreaming.

"Can we talk, Alexus?"

"Sure."

"You've been acting weird lately.  Is everything okay?"

"I will admit that I've been avoiding you."

"Why?  Did I do something?"

I shook my head.  "No, I just don't want to get too close to another male with my birthday less than a week away.  You're nice, but you seem like you want something more with me than a friendship, but that's all I have to offer you."

"Wow, way to kick a guy while he's down," he chuckled humorlessly.

"That's not my intention, but I'd rather tell you the truth instead of you thinking you had a chance, or you finding out later that we weren't on the same page.  Next thing I know, you're cursing me for leading you on.  No, thank you.  We can be friends, but I don't want an intimate relationship with you."

"You didn't seem to mind having an intimate relationship with me a month ago."

"Don't do this, Mark," I whined.  I knew he would make this more difficult than it needed to be. 

"What?  Can you blame me for being confused? A month ago, it seemed like you were really into me, and now I'm getting nothing from you."

"We cuddled and made out a couple of times.  I'm not looking for anything serious, and I need you to respect that.  Trust me, I'm saving both of us from heartache and pain.  I don't want to be in the position where we're dating and I find my mate and dump you and vice versa.  And no offense, but I'm not going to drop my mate for you."

"You talk as if finding your mate is absolute.  I'm 19 and I haven't found my mate.  Your godfather is fucking 50 and he hasn't found his mate yet.  We can't all be your mother, Alexus.  Sometimes we're separated from our mates by continents.  Are you just going to hold out forever?"

"Yes," I answered immediately.  "I'll wait for him forever if I have to."

"You're an idiot."

"I can accept that, but what I can't accept is being a disloyal idiot."

I began to walk away when Mark shouted after me.  "Alexus Beaumont, I know we're mates!"

I paused in my tracks and considered turning around to argue with him, but what was the point?  He wouldn't believe anything I said.  "I guess we'll see, huh? If we're not mates then I need you to give up on me."

"Deal!"

I nodded my head and proceeded to make my way to the back entrance of the castle through the garden.  I scoffed when I found Alpha Harvey leaning against the door frame.

"I thought you had important things to attend to?"

"I did, but watching you break that young man's heart was so fulfilling."

"That's because you're twisted and demented."

"I'll add that to my list of positive qualities," he joked.  Alpha Harvey's face suddenly darkened.  "You need to watch out for the young man, Alexus.  That boy ain't right.  I can feel it in my bones."

"You know what's sad about that?"

"What?"

"I'm inclined to agree with you."